Frequently Asked Questions

A building permit is required for any of the following: 

• New residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, or public buildings
• Residential building additions (e.g. living rooms, family rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, garages)
• Residential work or alterations (e.g. decks, garages, fireplaces, swimming pools, remodeling projects)
• Residential renovations (e.g. garage conversions, finishing an unfinished basement, kitchen expansions)
• Commercial building additions, alterations, or renovations
• Electrical services or wiring
• Plumbing systems (drain, waste, vent, water) new or relocated
• HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems
• Accessory buildings greater than 200 square feet
• Telecommunication transmission towers

A permit is not required for any of the following: 

• One-story detached accessory structures that do not exceed 200 sq. ft.
• Painting, wallpaper, and other similar finish work
• Window awnings supported by an exterior wall
• Door or window replacement (when window or door rough openings are not enlarged or relocated and additional framing is not needed)
• Exterior siding replacement
• Roof replacement
• Electrical or plumbing fixture replacement

To obtain a building permit, you will start by submitting an application along with documentation such as a site plan or floor plan as applicable. Once we receive the application, our inspectors will review the application and plans. A permit application may take up to five business days to be processed. You will be contacted once a permit is ready for your project. A fee will be collected to cover the cost of the application and the review/inspection process. For a list of fees please refer to the Fee Schedule.

• If the property you would like to build on is located within city limits, you will need to contact that city to ask if a permit would be required. 
• If the property is located outside of city limits, you would obtain a building permit through our office, Muscatine County Building, Zoning, & Environmental Office. 
• If you’re not sure if the property is inside city limits, just contact our office and we can look it up for you.